Centrifugal machine



Nov. 29,1938. v E, P. HOLDER ET AL 2,138,l67

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE Filed March 16, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEYS NOV. 29, 1938. E. P. HOLDER ET AL CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE Filed March les,L 195e 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Erf-z I Nov. 29, `1938. i E. P. HOLDER ET ALr Y 238157 u CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE v Filed March 16, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTVEYS Patented Nov. 29, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CENTRIFUGALMACHINE Edward P. Holder, New York, and Edward L.

Miller, Troy, N- Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to American Machine and Metals Inc., New York, N. Y.,`a corporation of Delaware Application March 1c, 193s, serial No. 69,056

'I'he invention relates to new and'useful improvements in centrifugal machines and more particularly to such improvements in flexible suspension means for centrifugal extractors.

The accompanying drawings, referred tov herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodimentl of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the prin- -clples of the invention. f

0f the dravvings2-v Fig. 1 is a vertical section showing one form of the suspension applied to an underdriven extractor;

Figs. 2 and 3 'are detail vertical sections showing other forms of the suspension;

. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail showing a form of screw-threaded support for the suspension;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing another form.

of the suspension with certain parts broken away; and

Fig. 6 is a detailed, fragmentary view partly in section of the suspension shown in Fig. 5.

Objects of the invention are to provide an improved exible suspension for underdriven extractors which is strong, simple and eiicient, having few parts, and which may be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled, and to eliminate moving parts in engagement with the pedestals and casing or curb, and to provide for attachment of the exible `suspensions to pedestais and casing which are j in fixed relation thereto and are maintained in that relation; to provide for continuous lubrication of all moving parts, having especially in view the rapid and irregular movements' of joints of the suspensions under heavy and varying load strains, and by continuous lubrication to minimize the wear which, under the conditions just described, is otherwise very great. v

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example embodiments of the invention, and referring rst to Figs'. 1 and 2, an underdriven' extractor is shown of a well-known type, to which the present invention isV applied. As embodied, a casing or curb I has a bottom bearing! in whichis journaled the enlarged, downwardly decreasing con- -ical bearing portion 3 of-a shaft 4, the shaft above the part 3 being upwardly tapered.

Mounted on the tapered vshaft 4 is the correspondngly tapered hub 5 of the basket 6, which is held in place bythe nut 1. Fixed on the bottom end of the shaft is a pulley 8 over which runs -a belt 9 driven by any suitable driving ,Referring to the form of flexible suspension shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a plurality of pedestals I0, usually three in number, are fixed in spaced relation about the casing, and the casing is suspended therefrom by the exible suspensions. In the form of suspension shown in Figs. l and 2, a cylindrical disc I9 rests in a corresponding cylindrical recess 20 formed in the upper face of the top of the pedestal. If preferred, an elastic member 2| may be interposedbetween thedisc I3 and its supporting recess 26, but good results will usually be secured with the disc fitting within and engaging directly with the recess 2li. The flexible suspensionrmay be hung directly from the block I9, but as shown,` a hollow spheroidal lmem-f ber 24 rests in a correspondingly shaped opening in the top of the disc I9. Fixed` to the walls of the member 24 and extending across its hollow interior is a pin 25 upon which is hung the flex- .ible suspension which supports the extractor casing. Thefiexible suspension has a link support uponthe pin 25, and as shown it is a chain 26. Surrounding the upper link of the chain and Within the interior of the member 24is a spacing ring- 21, which likewise can be dispensed with 'if desired. Extending from the outer face of the casing I are lugs 33, to which the lowerends of the flexible suspension are attached. The anchorage for the lower end yof the flexible suspension 26 and the bearings in the under side of :isA

in contact with the entire length of the suspension, and with all the joints of the chain. As embodied in Figs.v 1 and 2, iianged collars 34 and 35 are located respectively on the under side of the pedestal bearing and on the top side of the lug 33. and the projecting collar parts of these are encircled by a. tube 36 which hasl sliding overlapping connection with both' flanges.

Closure caps 31 and 38 are provided respectively for the top of .the pedestal opening and the bottom of Athe lug opening. Thus all the movable parts of the flexible suspension whether they be are the same as those already described and are indicated by the same numerals and need not be described again. In this .construction the flanged collars 34a and 35a have their flanges within the member 24, and the entire grease retaining structure is mounted about the suspension separate from the pedestal and the casing lug, and there is consequently less relative move, ment of the parts. t In Fig. 4 is shown one form of screw-threaded mounting for the exible Suspension 26. The suspension at either end has link connection with a screw-threaded rod or bar 44, which at one end is supported by suitable means in the pedestal and at the other end in the casing lug. A suitable nut 4 6 is screw-threaded on to the rod 44, and this nut serves as the supporting abutment on the upper side of the pedestaland on the lower side of the casing lug. In Fig. 4 the nut 46 is shown of spheroidal form and may be mounted similarly to the parts 24 ifV desired. A locking nut 45 is also screwed onto the rod 44, and a locking key 43 may be used if desired. With this form of device assembly and disassembly may be eiected very quickly and easily, and the length of the suspension may be varied or adjusted if desired.. l

In Figs. 5 and 6 a relatively simple form of screw-threaded supports for the'exible suspension is shown, and this illustrates substantially the present preferred. commercial form. As shown, there are fixed anchorages for the ilexible suspension to both the pedestal and the,

casing lugs which are exceedingly simple, sturdy and very quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. As embodied, there are provided slotted eylindricalmembers 49 having preferably diametrally disposed slots 5U. Integral with and projecting rearwardly from the slotted members 49 are rods or stems 5l which fit closely within and project rearwardly Afrom apertures in the pedestal and lug. Nuts 53 and lock nuts 54 are screw-threaded on the rods il to hold the supporting devices iixedly in place with their at rear faces 58 nnly abutting on the pedestal and lug. Mounted within and extending across Vthe members 49 are pins 55 with which the ends of the chain have link connection. The grease'- .enclosing casingsii are of flexible material and are cylindrical in form, and at either end ilt closely about the members 49, and are held in strong compression thereagainst by suitable means, such as wires 51. There are thus provided seals at' either end of the grease-retaining tube 56, beyond the end link mounting of the flexible suspension', and thereby all of the movable joints, including the end ones, are kept constantly lubricated. The ilexible tube 5E may be of any suitable material and is preferably -of synthetic rubber which has the reqmred strength and ilexibility and is grease-resistant, and may b ecoated with fabric if desired.

The invention in its broader aspectsls not limited to the particular constructions andmaterials shown and described, nor to any particular constructions or materials, as these may be varied within the scope of the accompanying claims; and it will be understood that the various forms illustrated are exemplary of possible embodiments of the invention, but are not to be construed as restrictive as to changes in the details of structure.

What we claim is: v I l. A mounting for a centrifugal machine having a casing -and a basket rotatable about a vertical axis including in combination a plurality of pedestals, and suspension means between the pedestals and casing comprising supporting` de- .vices engaging the pedestals and casing, a nonrotating flexible connection .between said spporting devices and a flexible grease-containing, grease-resisting closure about said ilexible connection. 1

2. A mounting for a centrifugal machine having a. casing and a basket rotatable about a -vertical axis including in combination a plurality of pedestals, and suspension means between the pedestals and casing comprising supportngdel vices engaging the pedestals and casing, ilexible connection between said supporting devices and a flexible grease-containing closure about said flexible connection having its ends sealed to said supporting devices beyond the ends of the flexible connection. t

3. A mounting for a centrifugal ma e having a casing and a basket rotatable about a vertical axis including in combination a plurality of pedestals, and suspension means between the of pedestals. a rigid supporting device mountedin a pedestal and projecting downwardly therefrom, a. rigid supporting device mounted in the casing and projecting upwardly therefrom, a flexible connection linked to said projecting portions of said supports, a flexible grease container surrounding said flexible support and.- its linkV connections and sealing between said container and said projecting portions of the supports comprising compressing devices at either end of the container.

5. A mounting for a centrifugal machine having a casing and a basket rotatable about a vertical axis including in combination a. plurality of pedestals, a rigid support mounted in a. pedestal and having a hollow projecting portion, a rigid support mountedin the casing and having a hollow projecting portion, and a ilexible connection having link connections within said hollow portions of the support, a tubular grease container enclosing said flexibleV connection and having its ends sealed about said-projecting portions of the supports.

6. A mounting for a centrifugal machine having a casing and a basket rotatable about a vertical axis including in combination a plurality of pedestals, rigid supporting members having screw-threaded shanks adapted` to pass through `apertures in the pedestals and open hollowportions projecting downwardlyl from the pedestals, pins mounted in said open hollow portions and flexible casing supporting members linked to said pins and a synthetic rubber tube enclosing said flexible members for retaininglubricant.

` f Y EDWARD P. HOLDER.

. i EDWARD L.- MILLER. 

